Forecasting Grain
After months, maybe years of hard work and dedication, Village Harvest is finally launching it’s new frozen whole grain line. Wahoo! Some say QR codes are the game changer of the times, we say think again. These whole grain mixes–that include ingredients like farro, wheatberries, red rice and quinoa–are taking the mystery out of cooking otherwise esoteric healthy foods and making them easier than boiling pasta. The big question (as with QR codes) is will consumers know what to do with them? Of course they will!
Only in this case, no apps, downloads, digital video cameras, ipads or other handheld devices are required. As long as you know how to rip open the package, pour in a bowl and press the microwave button, you’re in! Dole it out on the side of some grilled chicken, steamed veggies, or I don’t know, a hot dog if you’re so inclined. Toss these grains in a stir fry or pasta dish instead of white rice or plain ol’ pasta. The thing is, this line provides such a quick and simple way to add health and variety the average family meal that it’s a no brainer. That said, if you must download a suggestion to get you started, Village Harvest’s QR’s (quick recipes) are yours for the making.
Expo West Shows Herbs, Grains and Goo in our Future
Expo West Natural Products show is a whirlwind of all things organic, natural and somehow good for you. Gone are the days that it’s as simple as “an apple a day”. These thousands of products are dizzying in the grocery stores, much less in a hall the size of mulitple football fields. Never the less, there are always a few trends that rise to the top.
–Herbs: They’re in water, chocolate, teas and other random products. The interesting thing is that they seem to be in style not only for their flavors, but for medicinal properties as well. While New Tree chocolate offers “relaxing” lavendar bars, while Ayala’s Herbal water comes in Lemon Verbena Geranium flavor just because it tastes really good.
–Grains: Finally our country is catching up with the rest of the world, figuring out that the grains family extends beyone Uncle Ben’s. Crackers and granola categories are exploding with the additional power packed crunch of quinoa, flax and other whole grains. From grain “loaf” by Fieldroast (which not only slices like meat, but tastes like it as well) to Quinoa Maple Pecan Meteorbites by Galaxy Granola to simple, delicious whole grain pilafs from Village Harvest Rice grains are finally getting the attention they deserve.
–Goo: It started as an athletic supplement. About a decade ago, Cliff Bar introduced a sqeezable food packet that could be taken on the run (literally) to keep energy up without weighing you down. Now, Plum Organics, among others in the category, introduced a crushed fruit product in this tubelike pacakging that can be squirted into hungry little mouths that never sit down for a full meal. Other companies are hocking the same type of products for older consumers who can’t sit still.
Prediction for 2010: Lavendar Oatmeal Squeezers for a relaxing breakfast on the fly!
Goods News for the Green Grocer
Green living used to be for Indian print skirt wearing, woven basket carrying, farmer’s market shopping wealthy ex-hippies…and a few others. Now, everyone’s doing it. The good news is, it’s still totally cool.
Coinciding with the downturn of the economy, it seems that consumers are continuing to realize how their purchasing behaviors not only affect their wallets, but the world around them. According to an article in The Gourmet Retailer, Packaged Facts recently published their fifth edition of “Food Flavors and Ingredients Outlook” which claims that health and wellness and environmental consciousness are two of the top factors beyond the economy, influencing foodservice and retail markets this year.
How can you conscientiously cash in? Do something for the environment and let the whole world in on it. Tropicana is running a promotion this entire year that is doing just that. In concert with their new packaging (comments anyone?), the big O.J. co. is offering to give consumer the opportunity to save the rainforest 100 square feet at a time with every purchase.
What I like about this promo is that it is real NEWS.
1. Even if the consumer does not take action, they get the message that Tropicana is interested in cleaning up our environment. NICE.
2. The call to action is simply entering basic information along with a purchase code into your home computer to initiate this good deed. No messy lids, box tops, postage. EASY.
3. Consumers are driven to Tropicana’s website where they can learn more about Tropicana’s efforts and become even bigger fans. WEB-BASED.
4. After the initial transaction, additional purchases rack up more “saved land” with a click. It is easy to see how this could become a competition, both internal and external, and create a viral fan base. STICKY.
As far as I’m concerned, if consumers are going to play around with the environment, everyone should get in the game.
Specialty Food Trends are in the Bag
Attending the SF Fancy Food Show isn’t all nibbling bon bons and gorging on exotic cheeses. There’s some serious business going on between those bites. An important show for anyone in the specialty food trade, distributors, retailers and importers get to decide what will be the next big thing in their markets. Based on my loot, here are a few trends that are brewing.
Mochi is the new gelato. These little rice noodle wrapped dumplings are here to stay. Look for flavors ranging from green tea to coconut to mango. My guess is that in the upcoming years you won’t have to look to far.
Salted sweets rule. A sprinkling of sea salt on chocolate or caramel is not new, but becoming more mainstream for sure.
Rethink yogurt.Extra rich Greek-style yogurt, sheeps milk, and goats milk yogurt are stepping up. Basic flavors like plain, vanilla or honey are so rich, they blow the old school artificially flavored varieties out of the water.
Chefs tricks can be purchased by the bottle.Wine reductions, fruit purees, stock concentrates used to differentiate the pros from home cooks. Now, with no additional skills, but a little extra cash, anyone can go from home chef to Top Chef in minutes.
Grain is going strong. We tasted grain based sausages that would make tofu dogs whimper. At another booth, we found polenta sticks and shelf stable pre-cooked oatmeal that will give kid-friendly menus some much needed variety.
What food trends do you expect to see in 09? I have a few more in my bag, but I’m making them last…
Dinner in no Time
Trying to get dinner served by 6 is nothing new. The way we’re going about trying is another story. Applications that provide users with easy-to-follow recipes and shopping lists seem to be the latest rage.
Aviva Goldfarb’s Six O’clock Scramble provides a blog, RSS feed and weekly recipes for subscribers willing to pay $54.50 annually. Bust-a-meal keeps it clean and simple with customized recipes and shopping lists for busy homemakers for $1.99 per week.
For time-crunched moms with modest culinary skills, many say its a small price to pay to relieve supermarket stress. And you?